A 50-YEAR dream will come true for residents of a thriving Bromsgrove village thanks to a generous Lottery grant.

Tardebigge has been awarded £298,581 to build a community hall, which will be a focal point and venue for many village activities.

The grant, from the Lottery's Community Fund, will enable the hall to be built on a spot already chosen on the prominent hill-top near St Bartholomew's Church and Tardebigge First School.

A delighted Sue Huband, who chairs the hall steering committee, said: "This is a dream come true for the village.

"We have been working towards this moment for five years with the support of all sectors of the community.

"We are delighted that the Tardebigge community will at last get the hall it so desperately needs and deserves."

It is hoped the hall will be open by the end of the year for use, by among others, a youth club, scouts, guides, keep fit and health classes, adult education as well as school and church activities.

Early last century Tardebigge had what was arguably the most impressive village hall in the county, paid for by the Earl of Plymouth - who spared no expense in its construction.

Today it is the Tardebigge pub.

It was used briefly as a hospital during World War I, but to the great disappointment of villagers, who could not afford to buy it, it was sold in 1945 when the Hewell estate was broken up.

Tenders for the hall, which is expected to be able to accommodate 200 people, will be invited shortly.

Villagers themselves are chipping in more than £4,000 towards the cost. The cash was raised over a number of years from various events and activities.